Contact: Madison Welzbacher

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Jazz Age is making a comeback at Mississippi State with a theatrical adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” to continue the spring season of MSU Lyceum Series on Feb. 23.

The performance begins at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium, and is presented by the Aquila Theatre, one of the most renowned producers of classical theater in the country. The company visits 50-60 American cities per year, including performances for the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Written by Desiree Sanchez, an artistic director for the Aquila Theatre, the production is a more diverse, inclusive portrayal of the characters and themes presented in the story. The adaptation, from the 1925 book of the same name, examines the prejudice and bigotry that F. Scott Fitzgerald witnessed during his time and depicted in his novel.

The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s third novel, tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth. Unsuccessful upon publication by Scribner Books, it is now considered a fiction classic and has often been called the “Great American Novel.” Today, it is Scribner’s most popular title.

Individual tickets are available to the general public at $30 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. MSU students may enter for free with valid student I.D. Purchases can be made at www.lyceum.msstate.edu and at the door, if available.

For more information about MSU’s Lyceum Series, contact the Center for Student Activities at 662-325-2930, visit www.lyceum.msstate.edu or email lyceum@msstate.edu. Contributions to the Lyceum Series can be made via the MSU Foundation by contacting Lynn Durr at 662-325-8918.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.